Origins
James was born in Galilee and was the son of Zebedee and Salome, according to the Holy Scriptures. He was the brother of João Evangelista, both fishermen. He is always cited as one of the first three apostles, along with Peter and Andrew.
Fisher of men
James’ life changes when he accepts Jesus’ invitation to be a “fisher of men”, as narrated in the Gospel of Saint Matthew: “Jesus saw two brothers, James of Zebedee and John, his brother, who, together with their father, were arranging the nets on the boat. They immediately left the boat and their father and followed him.”
It is called “greater” because of the apostle of the same name, James, son of Alphaeus, known as “lesser”.
Witness of miracles
Among the twelve apostles, Saint James was a great friend of Our Lord. That’s why he witnessed several miracles and events such as the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, the Transfiguration of Jesus, the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter and Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Easter
After the resurrection of Christ, James went to Spain to evangelize. He later returned to Jerusalem, where he was arrested and killed during the Passover festival in the year 42.
His death is described in the Acts of the Apostles: “At that time, King Herod began to persecute some members of the Church. He ordered James, John’s brother, to be killed with the sword.” Thus, James the Greater became the first of the apostles to die for faith in Jesus Christ. His body was transferred to Spain.
star field
According to tradition, in the year 831, the tomb of Saint James was found near Mount Liberon, in the Spanish city of Iria. The bishop of the city saw a bright star illuminating a field, and there a tomb was discovered, with the writing: “Here lies Jacobus, son of Zebedee and Salome”.
The place was called Campus stellae (“field of the star”), the name that gave rise to the city of Santiago de Compostela. In 1075, construction began on the Basilica dedicated to Saint James. Since the Middle Ages, the Sanctuary has been a place of pilgrimages.
My prayer
“Saint James the Greater, the first apostle to die for love in Christ, give us the faith necessary to be as intimate with the Lord as you were. Amen.”
Saint James the Greater, pray for us!
Other saints and blesseds celebrated on July 25:
- In Lycia, in present-day Türkiye, Saint Christophermartyr. († date inc.)
- In Barcelona, in Hispania Tarraconense, São Cucufate, martyr. († s. IV)
- In Caesarea, Palestine, the saints Valentina, Web It is Paulmartyrs in the persecution of Emperor Maximian. († 308)
- In Nicomedia, in Bithynia, today Izmit, in Turkey, the passage of Saint Olympicswidow. († 408)
- In Trier, in the Rhineland of Austrasia, in present-day Germany, Saint Magnericobishop, who was a disciple of Saint Nicetius. († c. 596)
- Also in Trier, the saints Blessed It is Bantupresbyters, who led a hermitical life in the time of Saint Magnerico. († s. VI-VII)
- In Metz, in Gaul Belgium, currently in France, Santa Glodesindaabbess. († s. VI)
- In Córdoba, in Andalusia, a region of Spain, São Teodemiromonk of Carmona and martyr at a young age during the persecution of the Moors. († 851)
- In Angers, France, Blessed John Sorethpresbyter of the Order of Carmelites. († 1471)
- In Camerino, in Piceno, a region of Italy, Blessed Pedro Corradini by Mollianopresbyter of the Order of Minors. († 1490)
- In Salsete, India, the blessed martyrs Rodolfo Acquaviva, Afonso Pacheco, Pedro Berna, Antonio Franciscopresbyters, and Francisco Spiderreligious, all from the Society of Jesus. († 1583)
- In Bobino, in Apulia, a region of Italy, Blessed Antonio Luccibishop, of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. († 1752)
- On a prison boat anchored off Rochefort, in France, Blessed Miguel Luís Brulardpresbyter of the Order of Discalced Carmelites and martyr. († 1794)
- In Madrid, Spain, Santa Maria do Carmo Sallés and Barangueras, virgin, who founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. († 1911)
- In Vera Cruz, Mexico, Blessed Angelo Dario Acosta Zuritapresbyter of Veracruz (Mexico) and martyr. († 1931)
- In Urda, near Toledo, in Spain, the blessed martyrs Peter of the Heart of Jesus (Pedro Largo Redondo), presbyter and Benedict of Our Lady of Villar (Bento Solano Ruiz), religious from the Congregation of the Passion. († 1936)
- In Talavera de la Reina, also in Spain, the blessed martyrs Frederick (Carlos Frederico Rúbio Álvarez), priest, Cousin Martinez from San Vicente Castillo, Jerónimo Ochoa Urdangarin It is John of the Cross (Elói Francisco Delgado Pastor), religious, all from the Hospital Order of Saint John of God. († 1936)
- In Monzon, a town near Huesca, also in Spain, Blessed Dionísio Pamplona Polopresbyter of the Order of Clerics Regular of the Pious Schools and martyr. († 1936)
- In Motril, in Spain, the blessed Deogracias Palaces, Lion Inchausti, José Rada, Julian dark skinnedpresbyters, and José Díez Rodríguezreligious, all from the Order of Augustine Recollects. († 1936)
- In Algodor, also in Spain, the blessed José Luís Palácio Muñiz It is António Varona Ortegaelders; Hyginio Roldán Irribérri It is João Crespo Callejareligious, all from the Order of Preachers and martyrs. († 1936)
- In Montcada, also in Spain, the blessed martyrs Gabriel of the Annunciation (Jaime Balcells Grau) and Edward of the Child Jesus (Ricardo Farré Masip), presbyters of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, and companions. († 1936)
- In Madrid, also in Spain, Blessed José López Tascónpresbyter of the Order of Preachers and martyr. († 1936)
- In the Dzialdowo concentration camp, in Poland, the blessed Maria Teresa Kowalska, virgin of the Capuchin Poor Clares and martyr. († 1941)
Sources:
- vatican.va and vaticannews.va
- Roman Martyrology – liturgia.pt
- Arquisp.org.br
– Production and editing: Bianca Vargas